Internal Video from Microsoft Showcases Their Original Vision for the Lumia 950

The Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL were not the most popular of smartphones. The phones opened up against heavy competition from Android OEM who enjoyed the figurative edge in the mobile ecosystem. The Android OEMs prevailed and Microsoft retrenched its efforts in the mobile space.

A new video from Windows Centralshowcases Microsoft’s original vision for the Lumia 950 and 950 XL. The original vision promises a Windows experience that might have helped the devices get the extra edge in their fight against Android.

According to the ‘original’ vision, the Lumia 950 series was going to be Microsoft’s star Windows phone that would showcase the best the platform had to offer. The video shows off the several ideas that Microsoft had planned for Lumia 950 and Windows 10 Mobile. These include a different Glance screen, pen support, device edge gestures and even smart covers.

Windows Central cites internal and external sources that wish to remain anonymous and goes on to mention that the video was created before the Lumia 950 and Windows 10 Mobile were finished. As a result, the video is showing off what can be considered concept ideas but which were expected to be ready in time for the launch in 2015. Some of these features like the pen support made it to testing, but were then cancelled before the launch. It’s also interesting that there was a lot of emphasis on both Continuum and cross-compatibility with the Surface line.

We are unlikely to see any of these features or accessories release for the Lumia 950 series now. But that by itself does not rule out the possibility of these features coming to a future Surface phone, if it exists. The video remains an ode to what Windows Mobile could have been.

What are your thoughts on Microsoft’s original vision for the Lumia 950 and Windows 10 Mobile? If the showcased features were real, would they have convinced you to switch over from Android? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

About Author

Commerce graduate and Law student with a passion for all things Android, Aamir frequently helps people get the best out of their budget smartphones through generous use of custom roms and kernels. Once an ardent Samsung fanboy, he has since wised up to the ways of Nexus and DuARTe. He receives press releases at aamirsiddiqui@xda-developers.com.

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